Flood hit homes receive immediate payment

To help policyholders following the recent floods, NFU Mutual is giving immediate payments of £500 to householders to help them buy essentials in the very short term.

Currently the rural areas most seriously affected by this flooding are the North East and South West of England and South Wales.

In those areas reported as being most dramatically affected, NFU Mutual's local Agents have been visited by a claims inspector to ascertain what specific assistance is required.

NFU Mutual has activated its emergency procedure to deal with motorists' claims. Once a new motor flood claim is reported, the vehicles are being deployed to a single location to be inspected.

It is anticipated that the volumes of claims will continue to increase throughout today and Wednesday, but much will depend on the prevailing weather and its direct effect, over the next few days.

Sylvia Newham at NFU Mutual said, "Although we have seen some damage from these most recent floods, many rural areas seem to have escaped the worst. However, there is clearly the potential for conditions to deteriorate with further torrential rain falling on areas already experiencing high river and water-table levels. We urge policyholders to remain on their guard."

When flooding is expected

Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains.
Unplug all electrical items and store upstairs or as high up as possible.
Contact your local council for sandbags.
Move as much furniture and electrical items as you can upstairs.
Move furniture away from walls.
Roll up carpets and rugs and put them upstairs.
Remove curtains or hang them up over the rail so they are kept above flood water.
Leave internal doors open.
Move sentimental items upstairs.
Keep important personal documents in a sealed bag, and in a safe location.

During flooding

Make sure you have important personal documents such as insurance and bank details, as well as essential contacts in the local authority and your doctor.
Don't go into rooms with standing water if the power is still turned on.
Don't use electrical appliances affected by, or in contact with, moisture.
Move your car to higher ground to avoid damage.

After flooding

Contact your insurer as soon as possible.
Do not drink tap water until the all clear is given.
Get your electrical system checked before turning back on.
If you suspect the flood water to be contaminated (by sewage, for example) discard affected items immediately.
Take photographs of damaged items as this will help with the claim.
Floor coverings should be removed to reveal bare floorboards or concrete.
Start the drying out process by removing a couple of floorboards at each end of affected ground-floor rooms.
Aid ventilation by opening windows and turning the heating on low.

NFU Mutual recently won the British Insurance Award for General Insurer of the Year and Customer Care, largely down to its work during the floods of 2007.